Thursday night the Harrison City Council passed the first reading with a vote of 5-3 for a city ordinance which would allow for an entertainment district in downtown Harrison, much like Mountain Home.
According to KY3-TV, Matt Bell with Explore Harrison says data from the Mountain Home district has been informative in the plans being constructed by the city of Harrison tourism committee. He stated “the entertainment district proposal will designate a walking area within our downtown that is conducive to a social atmosphere. Visitors can go into a restaurant, get an adult beverage, and walk freely within that district.”
Statistics presented showed the downtown Mountain Home entertainment district showed a 54% increase in sales with no issues of additional crime because of it.
Recently, the Harrison City Hall moved to a new location, which took away traffic from downtown businesses.
Business owners downtown would like to see the community have an experience with a place they could sit outside, eat, and visit. Many felt the district would increase job opportunities, as well as bring in visitors for more festivals.
Citizens who oppose the new district feel it would not be wholesome family entertainment and that businesses would have to stay open longer to capitalize. They are also strongly opposed to open alcohol containers.
Many citizens felt people were getting hung up on the words “entertainment” thinking it only means alcohol and proposing it being called an arts district would be a good compromise.
The ordinance would state that open plastic cups, with no more than 16 fl. ounce would only be allowed from those businesses in the district who chose to participate. No outside containers of alcohol would be permitted. In addition, businesses that opted in would need to provide guests with restroom facilities.
The second reading of the ordinance will take place in October. If that reading passed, it would proceed to a final reading in November.
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